Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday represents another significant test of the party’s ideological divisions, coming one week after progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won Michigan’s U.S. Senate Democratic primary. The Wisconsin race pits David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive backed by two-term Governor Tony Evers, against democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a contest that has drawn national attention regarding how far leftward the Democratic Party may shift.
Crowley’s path to the nomination has been complicated by a chaotic primary process. He initially withdrew from the race on July 8 but re-entered 10 days later following endorsements from Evers and after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez ended her candidacy. Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes subsequently dropped out following allegations of inappropriate behavior, though both he and Rodriguez remain on ballots as absentee votes cast for them cannot be reversed. According to a Marquette University Law School poll conducted in late July, Hong held a significant lead over other candidates.
Hong, who would be Wisconsin’s first woman governor and first Asian American governor if elected, has faced scrutiny over past social media posts. These included calling for canceling Thanksgiving because of colonialism concerns, criticizing Valentine’s Day as capitalist manipulation, and advocating for defunding police. She has since clarified or walked back several of these positions, stating she does not support abolishing police forces. Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who faces the Democratic winner in November, has attacked Hong over these comments, framing the general election as a choice between chaos and common sense.
Evers’ endorsement of Crowley, while generating applause at campaign events, does not guarantee success in a year when Democratic voters have favored outsider candidates. In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s endorsement of moderate Haley Stevens proved insufficient. Supporters of Hong argue that concerns about her electability echo dismissals of Bernie Sanders in prior elections, while Crowley maintains he is not an establishment candidate despite serving in the state legislature and as Milwaukee County’s top official. Wisconsin Democrats are attempting to maintain control of the governor’s office and flip both legislative chambers to achieve full state control for the first time since 2010.
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